Puts the spring back into my Spaniel! (Pedigree Joint Care)

Member Name: cyberem78

Product:	Pedigree Joint Care
Date:	23/10/08 (197 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Effective and tasty.

Disadvantages: Highly priced. Regular packet is small.

I have an eight year old Springer Spaniel who has suffered from joint pain and arthritis for several years. Her usual treatment had been simple painkillers in chalk tablet form which had to be hidden in her food. She also took some bite-sized glucosamine treats to help lubricate her joints. I was told about this Pedigree product from a friend who was trying the sticks out and who told me they were much enjoyed by his dog.

When I saw the price I was taken aback and unsure about testing them. The regular product size is a packet of seven which sell at my local Asda store for around £3.80 for the natural flavour and £3.90 for the new beef flavour variety. I have seen them in sale in Netto for £5.99 for 21 sticks though, so shopping around is a good idea. The sticks need to be fed daily, so a regular pack only lasts a week.

The product comes in different strengths based on the size of the dog. It is helpful to know the approximate weight of your dog as the categories of product are based on many kilograms the dog is: although this can be guessed to some degree and there is a basic illustration of the pack of which breed of dog constitutes being small, medium or large!

The sticks are short and chunky, brown and green coloured and have a very strong smell of pepperoni! My dog has a small mouth and finds them quite chewy but seems to love gnawing at them. It takes her about 3 minutes to eat the whole stick.

The ingredients in the sticks include glucosamine, which helps "regenerate joint tissue", omega 3 oils derived from fish and mussel powder.

The packaging has a helpful calender style reminder on the outer strip covering each stick so that you don't forget to feed the medicinal treat: the success of it relies on regular use.

When I first began using this product I registered with the website: www.pedigreejointcare.co.uk. The site allows you to enter information about your pet into their database then provides help and support through their online community and through regular email newsletters. They have expert opinions and stories from other consumers on the web pages.

At the current time, the website is providing consumers with the opportunity to try the product free for six weeks - by printing off their online coupons. I have found all the information on the site extremely helpful and felt encouraged to keep using the sticks even when after two weeks, my dog showed no signs of improvement.

In the third week of trying the sticks my dog began to run around a lot more and stopped limping and cramping. Her enthusiasm for her walks was a delight to see. As the autumn months have kicked in my dog has not shown any of the signs of joint pain she used to when the weather was wet and cold. I am certain that her improvement is due to the joint care sticks. I have even had an endorsement for the product from my veterinary practitioner when he last examined my dog.

Fed daily now, it is a lovely moment of bonding between my dog and I! She enjoys eating the stick as it tastes like a treat and it makes her feel great too! I would definately recommend these.

Summary: Very effective product for dogs with joint pain.